Hamilton LGBT Activist Welcomes Leadership of Kathleen Wynne

Ontario’s premier-designate has fans in Hamilton

A Hamilton LGBT community activist says she is heartened by the recent election of Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s first female Premier and also Canada’s first openly gay official.

That makes her a much needed role model, said Deirdre Pike, a senior social planner for the Hamilton Social Planning Research Council and a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“I think there’s a definite responsibility for people in high level positions to be out and be role models for the rest of people who are more marginalized because of their sexual orientation,” said Pike.

For Pike, the fact that Wynne is the country’s first openly gay official means a great deal to both young people and adults who are struggling with their sexuality privately.

“I didn’t come out until I was 37,” shared Pike. “I could totally use different role models that it’s OK to be out.”